Support stand



July 23, 1963 T H. LA PIERRE SI PPORJI STAND Filed semi 18, 1981 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Fig. 5

ERRPJOK wane:

Moms H Lafierre INVENIDR.

July 23, 1963 T. H. LA PHERRE SUPPQRT STAND 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. 18, 1951 INVENTDR.

Tbs Ii Lalm're United States Patent "*ce 3,098,568 SUPPORT STAND Thomas H. La Pierre, Jackson, Mm; Mary J. Crabtree, executrix of said Thomas H. La Pierre, deceased, assignor to E. L. Keathley, Bernie, M0.

Filed Sept. 18, 1961, Ser. No. 138,684 6 Claims. (Cl. 211-60) This invention relates to a novel and useful support stand and more specifically to a support stand primarily designed for storing and displaying long hickory handles such as axe and pick handles.

While hickory is probably the most desirable wood for use as a tool handle, hickory has a tendency to warp if not properly stored. If a hickory handle has its lower end supported from a supporting surface and its upper end leaned against a support, it is quite possible that a hickory handle will warp and thus be greatly reduced in value. Heretofore, hardware store owners and the like who retail long hickory handles have utilized string to suspend hickory handles from the ceiling or shelving in order that the hickory handles will not be warped during storage. However, the use of string for suspending hickory handles is of course an undesirable manner in which to display axe and pick handles and accordingly, it is the main object of this invention to provide a compact display rack which may be supported from a section of flooring and utilized to suspend a plurality of upstanding hickory handles from their upper ends.

A further object of this invention, in accordance with the immediately preceding object, is to provide a display rack which may be disassembled and have the various component parts thereof arranged in a compact manner for shipment and/or storage.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a support stand which will display hickory handles in an attractive manner.

A final object to be specifically enumerated herein is to provide a support stand in accordance with the preceding objects which will conform to conventional forms of manufacture, be of simple construction and easy to use so as to provide a device that will be economically feasible, long lasting and relatively trouble free in operation.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the display stand of the instant invention; I

FIGURE 2 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially upon the plane indicated by the section line 22 of FIGURE 1 FIGURE 3 is a horizontal sectional view taken substantially upon the plane indicated by the section line 33 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 4 is a side elevational View taken substantially upon the plane indicated by the section line 44 of FIGURE 3; and

FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary longitudinal vertical sectional view of one end of the support stand on somewhat of an enlarged scale and showing the manner in which the support stand may be utilized to suspend axe and pick handles.

Referring now more specifically to the drawings the numeral generally designates the support stand of the instant invention. The support stand 10 includes an upstanding support structure generally referred to by the reference numeral 12 and a generally horizontally dis- 3,9985% Patented July 23, 1963 posed and planar grill clamp assembly generally referred to by the reference numeral 14-.

It will be noted that the grill clamp assembly 14 includes a pair of generally parallel and slightly later-aly spaced longitudinal members 16 and 18 and that a plurality of transversely extending and longitudinally spaced spring arm members generally referred to by the reference numerals 20 are secured to the longitudinal members 16 and 18. The longitudinal spacing of the spring arm members 2t define recesses between adjacent spring arm mem bers on opposite sides of the longitudinal members which open toward opposite sides of the grill clamp assembly 14. Each of the spring arm members includes an elongated open framework generally referred to by the reference numeral 22 which is constructed of a single piece of rod material including a substantially straight midportion 24 and backturned end portions 26 and 28 which substantially parallel the corresponding mid-portion. The free ends of the backturned end portions 26 and 28 are alined and axially spaced from each other. The midportions 24 are each secured to the longitudinal members 16 and 18 and the free ends of the backturned end portions 26 and 28 are secured to the corresponding longitudinal member;

From FIGURE 1 of the drawings it will be noted that each elongated open framework 22 has its backturned end portions 26 disposed adjacent the backturned end portions of the adjacent framework 22 and its mid-portion 24 disposed adjacent the mid-portion 24 of the adjacent open framework.

The opposite end open frameworks 22 each include a pair of laterally directed support arms 30 which terminate at their free end portions in downturned portions 32. Additionally, it will be noted that the opposite ends of the longitudinal members 16 and 18 are downtnrned as at 34 for a purpose which will hereinafter become more apparent.

The upstanding support structure 12 includes a pair of upstanding generally planar end leg frames 36 and 38 and it will be noted that each end frame 36 and 33 includes a generally inverted U-shaped member 40 including a pair of depending legs 42 interconnected at their upper ends by means of an integral bight portion 44. The lower ends of the legs 42 include backturned foot defining end portions 46 and a transverse brace 48 is secured between corresponding backturned end portions 46 while an upper transverse brace 50 is secured between the upper ends of corresponding legs 42. Each of the leg frames 36 and 38 also includes a longitudinal brace member 52 which is secured between the transverse brace member 50 and the transverse brace member 48 and a diagonal brace member 54.

The leg frames 36 and 38' are interconnect-ed by means of a central upstanding and generally planar web frame generally referred to by the reference numeral 5 6. The web frame 56 includes a pair of crossed diagonal brace members 58 and 60 interconnected at their upper and lower ends by means of transverse brace members 62 and 64. It will be noted that the opposite ends of the transverse brace members 62 and 64 are provided with backturned end portions 66 which may be looped about so as to rotatably receive the upper and lower ends of the corresponding longitudinal brace member 52 in order to secure the web frame 56 between the leg frames 36 and 38.

It will be noted that the downturned end portions 32 and 34 of the grill clamp assembly 14 removably secure the grill clamp assembly 14 to the bight portions 44 of the leg frames 36 and 38.

It will be noted that the transverse brace members 50 each include an apertured ear member 68 and also that 3 each of the bight portions 44 include an apertured ear member 7 0.

An upstanding display sign generally referred to by the reference numeral 72 includes a sign portion 74- which is substantially planar and has indicia 76 thereon designating which type of hickory handles are to be positioned in the recesses formed between adjacent spring arm members 20. The display sign 72 includes a plurality of depending rod-like support legs 73 which each is provided with a laterally offset lower end portion 8%? which is received between the corresponding alined apertured ears 68 and 7d. The laterally directed portion 82 of each support leg 78 rests upon the adjacent longitudinal member 34 whereby the laterally ofiset portions 80 will prevent transverse shifting of the grill clamp assembly 14 in one direction relative to the upstanding support structure 12 and the laterally directed portions 82 will support the display sign 72.

It is to be noted that each of the elongated open frame work members 22 is constructed of resilient material and yet of material which has [the desired amount of stiffness. All of the structural components of the support stand with the exception of the signboard 74 may be constructed of steel rod material. Further, the spring arm members 20 are secured to the longitudinal members 16 and 18 with varied spacing between adjacent pairs of spring arm members '20 in order that hickory handles such as those designated by the reference numerals 84 and 86 and having corresponding end portions of different diameters may be supported by the support stand 10.

It is to be noted that the backturned end portions 66 may be slightly straightened if it is desired to disassemble the support stand 111 and that when initially shipping the support stand 10 to a retailer for hickory handles, the display sign 72, leg frames 36 and 38, the grill clamp assembly 14 and the central web frame 56 may be stacked in a compact state. Then, after the display stand has reached its destination, the stand 10 may be readily assembled by first securing the web frame 56 between the leg frames 36 and 38 by bending the end portions 66 about the opposite ends of the longitudinal brace member 52 and placing the grill clamp assembly 10 on top of the upstanding support structure 12. Then, the hickory handles 84- and 86 may be disposed between adjacent spring arms 31) and the display sign 72 may be secured to the remainder of the support stand =10.

If, after the stand has once been assembled, it is desired to collapse the stand, the display sign 72 may be removed together with the clamp assembly 14 whereupon the end frames 36 and 38 may be rotated, about the longitudinal axes of the corresponding brace members 52, to positions generally paralleling and closely adjacent the web frame 56.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A support stand for supporting tool handles, said support stand comprising a pair of upstanding generally planar end leg frames interconnected by means of a central upstanding generally planar web frame extending therebetween whose opposite ends are pivotally secured to the corresponding end leg frames for rotation about upstanding axes disposed generally equidistant from the opposite ends of said end frames, a generally planar clamp assembly defining a plurality of generally parallel and horizontally disposed recesses each including opposite sides defining abutment surfaces adapted to embrace and support the enlarged end portions of hickory tool handles, said clamp assembly including opposite ends disposed in removable overlying relation to the upper surfaces of said end frames with the latter generally paralleling each other and disposed normal to the plane of said web frame, said clamp assembly including means releasably engaged with the upper edge portions of said end frames retaining said end frames in position against rotation relative to said web frame.

2. The combination of claim 1 wherein said grill clamp assembly includes opposite sides and some of said recesses open outwardly of one side of said assembly While other of said recesses open outwardly of the other side of said assembly.

3. The combination of claim 2 wherein said grill clamp assembly includes a pair of generally parallel and slightly laterally spaced longitudinal members, a plurality of transversely extending and longitudinally spaced spring arm members secured to said longitudinal members and projecting outwardly beyond remote sides of said longitudinal members defining said recesses between adjacent spring arm members on opposite sides of said longitudinal members.

4. The combination of claim 3 wherein each of said spring arm members includes an elongated open framework formed of a single piece of rod material including a substantially straight mid-portion having backturned opposite end portions substantially paralleling said midportion and terminating at their free ends. adjacent each other.

5. The combination of claim 4 wherein said spring arm members each have their mid-portions secured to said longitudinal members and said terminal end portions are each secured tothe corresponding one of said longitudinal members. I 6. The combination of claim 1 including a substantially planar display sign frame generally paralleling said web frame and disposed above said clamp assembly, said sign frame including means supporting the opposite ends thereof from said end planes and interconnecting the latter against rotation relative to said web frame independently of each other.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

1. A SUPPORT STAND FOR SUPPORTING TOOL HANDLES, SAID SUPPORT STAND COMPRISING A PAIR OF UPSTANDING GENERALLY PLANAR END LEG FRAMES INTERCONNECTED BY MEANS OF A CENTRAL UPSTANDING GENERALLY PLANAR WEB FRAME EXTENDING THEREBETWEEN WHOSE OPPOSITE ENDS ARE PIVOTALLY SECURED TO THE CORRESPONDING END LEG FRAMES FOR ROTATION ABOUT UPSTANDING AXES DISPOSED GENERALLY EQUIDISTANT FROM THE OPPOSITE ENDS OF SAID END FRAMES, A GENERALLY PLANAR CLAMP ASSEMBLY DEFINING A PLURALITY OF GENERALLY PARALLEL AND HORIZONTALLY DISPOSED RECESSES EACH INCLUDING OPPOSITE SIDES DEFINING ABUTMENT SURFACES ADAPTED TO EMBRACE AND SUPPORT THE ENLARGED END PORTIONS OF HICKORY TOOL HANDLES, SAID CLAMP ASSEMBLY INCLUDING OPPOSITE ENDS DISPOSED IN REMOVABLE OVERLYING RELATION TO THE UPPER SURFACES OF SAID END FRAMES WITH THE LATTER GENERALLY PARALLELING EACH OTHER AND DISPOSED NORMAL TO THE PLANE OF SAID WEB FRAME, SAID CLAMP ASSEMBLY INCLUDING MEANS RELEASABLY ENGAGED WITH THE UPPER EDGE PORTIONS OF SAID END FRAMES RETAINING SAID END FRAMES IN POSITION AGAINST ROTATION RELATIVE OT SAID WEB FRAME. 